GARDENDALE, Alabama - Gardendale residents are already
planning their first meals at the new Panera Bread location in
Gardendale. The restaurant is slated to open March 5, and crews are busy building the outdoor seating area and adding finishing touches inside.

The Gardendale location will be the first Panera Bread in
the Birmingham area with a drive-thru. The new bakery-cafe will also include
a fireplace and a sunroom space surrounded by floor-to-ceiling windows. Robert
Ryant with the Gardendale Inspection Department said the city wanted a place
with outdoor seating and is excited the restaurant will include a patio. Once
it's finished, the patio will have about 26 seats and a canopy-type cover. The restaurant
is 4,168 square feet with an interior capacity of a little more than 80 seats.

Panera is one of three tenants in a shopping center located at
Fieldstown Road and Mt. Olive Road. The other two tenants will be Yogurt
Mountain and AT&T, which is moving from its existing location.

Gardendale Council President Stan Hogeland said in addition
to bringing a new restaurant to the citizens of Gardendale, city leaders are
happy with the aesthetics of the new shopping center. "We're proud of the architectural
design," Hogeland told AL.com. "It gives an upscale look to the city right as
you're coming into Gardendale."

Hogeland said he hopes the experience Panera has had in
Gardendale will encourage more businesses to move into the city.

"I've worked coast to coast, and this is my first time
working in Alabama," said general contractor Kevin Fritz. "It's been a pleasure
working in Gardendale."